15 Mechanical Watches for First-Time Buyers and Advanced Collectors

Every mechanical watch is an engineering feat with a multitude of tiny moving parts tucked underneath its shiny exterior. From an ultra affordable pick, all the way to an ultra luxurious option with a six-digit price tag, we've rounded up a few amazing spring-driven timepieces to start a collection, or expand your current one.

The Powermatic 80 Chemin Des Tourelles by Tissot has an in-house movement, whose 80-hour power reserve is unmatched in this price range. This particular variant has an elegant 42-millimeter stainless steel case with a silver dial and leather band, though more options are also available.

The Zodiac Sea Dragon Chronograph has a sweet retro design, whose key elements include a large cushion case and beautifully contrasting chrono sub-dials. The movement of the watch is ETA Valjoux 7750, which is know for its superb accuracy and reliability. The watch is also available with other dial colors, as well as strap and bracelet options.

A great entry into the Swiss Made mechanical watch realm, the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Auto has a reasonably sized 42-millimeter stainless steel case, coupled with a black genuine leather strap with contrasting stitching. Its ETA 2824-2 automatic movement is known for its solid timekeeping and reliability.

The Alpina Pilot Heritage watch, as its name suggests, has been inspired by aviation timepieces from almost a century ago. It has a massive 50-millimeter case with a matching crown and large minute indicators. The movement of the watch requires manual winding.

The IWC Big Pilot's Watch is among the best aviation-inspired timepieces money can buy. It has a large 46-millimeter case with a large crown, an easy-to-read dial with excellent lume, and an in-house automatic movement with a whopping seven-day power reserve. The price is for a stainless steel model, though more upmarket materials and variations are also available.

You need only $50 to put an automatic watch from a big-name manufacturer on your wrist. The Seiko 5 has a 37-millimeter case, which is rather small by today's standards, and a basic day/date automatic movement with display back. You can pick from a plethora of dial and band colors.

The Longines Master Collection Chronograph offers an impressive amount of complications for its price range. Some of the highlights include a moon phase display, a 24-hour indicator, and a calendar. The automatic watch comes in a 40-millimeter case, coupled with a leather strap. There's also the option to order the watch on a bracelet.

The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Skin watch is a modern take on the Swiss watchmaker's most popular timepieces from decades ago. It has a pleasantly understated 40-millimeter case and a cool leather NATO strap. The black dial of the watch has hour indexes with nicely contrasting SuperLuminova lume. The latter is also applied on the hands of the watch.

Inspired by the analog airplane instruments, the Bell & Ross BR 03-92 automatic watch has eye-grabbing looks and an easy-to-read dial. This particular variant has basic in-house movement with a date indicator, though more complicated options and case finishes are also available.

The Seiko Prospex Diver SRP777 has large 45-millimeter cushion case that's a nod to the Japanese manufacturer's long history of making high-quality dive watches with an affordable price tag. The automatic movement displays day and date and comes with solid 41-hour power reserve. The black dial has superb lume for easy low-light readability.

This Tag Heuer Carrera variant can simultaneously display the time in a duo of time zones, so it's perfect for frequent travelers. The watch features the Swiss giant's own Calibre 7 in-house movement, tucked into an elegant 41-millimeter stainless steel case with a matching bracelet. More display dial colors are also available, as are other bracelet options.

The Hamilton Jazzmaster Regulator watch has hour, minute, and second hands placed on separate dials (a signature of all regulator timepieces), so it looks cool and different in the metal. Other key features of the timepiece include a 42-millimeter stainless steel case, a sapphire crystal, and a leather strap. More styles are also available.

In case your search for a mechanical watch does not have any budgetary restrictions, consider the IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Mystère Rétrograde for your collection. Crafted from platinum, the watch has a flying minute tourbillon and a retrograde date display. Combined, the features and the level of craftsmanship make every peek at the watch a special occasion.

The Oris Divers Sixty-Five automatic watch is defined by its refreshingly compact 40-millimeter case and domed sapphire crystal. Both elements harken back to the days when diving watches were not big and clunky, but subtle and functional. There are multiple styles to choose from.

If you are looking to own one luxury watch that's great for every occasion, this is the one to get. With timeless design that has remained unchanged for decades, exceptional craftsmanship, and incredible accuracy, the Rolex Submariner is as good as it gets. Multiple variants and case finishes are available, ranging from $7,500 for a "basic" stainless steel model, all the way to platinum models with diamonds that cost as much as a well-appointed home.

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